Is there another voice out there helping us plant the seeds of grudges?
According to the Bible, long ago, wasn't there a voice that tried to turn Eve against the loving mandate of God?
God told Adam and Eve they had this whole amazing Garden of Eden to eat from, tend to and enjoy, avoiding only one tree in the garden.
The serpent, who had (has) a huge grudge against the power and goodness of God, used his voice to plant the seed of a grudge in Eve toward her God: did God say you couldn't have the fruit of ANY tree?
No, no, replies Eve...only that one tree.
Is it possible that the seed is planted between the serpent's question and Eve's answer? Could she have the whisper of the thought that God would deny them access to the beauty and nutrition of the garden? What else makes her fall for the outright lie that next comes from the serpent: oh, you won't die if you eat from the tree...you will just be like God and He knows it.
Let's try the process on a typical grudge of today. Your sister-in-law wants to have the family gathering at her house instead of the family homeplace because she has small children that can't travel as well as your family of older children.
Do you hear: does she care at all about your schedule or your needs?
You think...of course she cares about our family...or does she?
And away it grows...the grudge, that is.
There is another voice out there. It seeks to lie, deceive and in any way derail the truth of love in our relationships.
Consider if this voice is trying to grow a nasty garden in your heart.
